US20160037941A1

US20160037941A1 - Childcare chair

Info

Publication number: US20160037941A1
Application number: US14/820,681
Authority: US
Inventors: Laurent WINDENBERGER
Original assignee: ALT Partners SAS
Current assignee: ALT Partners SAS
Priority date: 2014-08-08
Filing date: 2015-08-07
Publication date: 2016-02-11
Also published as: WO2016020518A1; EP3177184A1; FR3024647B1; CA2899613A1; EP2982271A1; FR3024647A1; EP2982271B1

Abstract

This childcare chair includes a seat for receiving the child and a support for the seat, the support carrying members for bearing on the ground. The members are articulated in rotation relative to the support between at least two distinct positions, in each of which the members are deployed relative to the support and which include a high position, in which the members bearing on the ground keep the seat at a second height relative to the ground, and a low position, in which the members bearing on the ground keep the seat at a second height relative to the ground, the second height being strictly smaller than the first height.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a childcare chair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the childcare field, it is known to use a chair for children, i.e., a chair comprising a seat designed to receive a child in the reclined or seated position. The seat is mounted on a support comprising bearing members on the ground.
Traditionally, the support keeps the seat in a relatively low position, at ground level, which ensures good stability of the chair but does not allow adults to interact easily with the child, for example at the table. Furthermore, for hygiene reasons, it is sometimes desirable for the child to be raised off the ground.
Childcare chairs are known with adjustable heights, where an additional height position makes it possible to raise the seat to a height that facilitates exchanges between the child and adults. However, the manipulation to be done to take the chair from the high position to the low position, and vice versa, is relatively tedious, and that chair is bulky and difficult to transport.
Document CH-A-270,503 discloses childcare furniture, comprising a cradle for receiving a child. Said cradle is carried by a support including two upper members, each U-shaped, and two lower members, also each U-shaped, the free ends of the aforementioned four members being articulated in rotation on two side plates. At its end opposite that articulated on the plates, each lower member carries, articulated in rotation, an additional member, which is also U-shaped. These additional members are only pressed on the ground in a raised position of the childcare furniture, while in a lowered position of that furniture, the additional members are retracted between the lower members such that the lower members then bear directly on the ground, and not the additional members. Furthermore, the idea at the base of CH-A-270,503 is indeed to equip the lower members, serving as bearing feet on the ground, with the additional members, which, by articulation, go from a retracted configuration (the additional members then withdraw in the lower members) to a deployed configuration (the additional members “extend” the lower members). Thus, to change the elevation level of the nacelle, the manipulation to be done at the two additional members, which are sometimes deployed, sometimes retracted, is tedious and relatively impractical, or even potentially a source of imbalance of the cradle and therefore accidents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to propose a childcare chair that makes it possible to modify the elevation level of its seat practically and safely.
To that end, the invention relates to a childcare chair, comprising a seat for receiving a child and a support for the seat, the support carrying members for bearing on the ground, wherein the members are articulated in rotation relative to the support between at least two distinct positions, in each of which the members are deployed relative to the support and which include:

- a high position, in which the members bearing on the ground keep the seat at a first height relative to the ground, and
- a low position, in which the members bearing on the ground keep the seat at a second height relative to the ground, the second height being strictly smaller than the first height.

Owing to the invention, the transition between the high position and the low position is done simply and safely, by rotating members which, in both positions, are both downwardly deployed relative to the support of the seat and in contact with the ground. Furthermore, the rotating articulation of the members advantageously allows the members to be folded down easily and more simply against the support, in a folded configuration having a small bulk.
According to advantageous, but optional features of the invention:

- the chair comprises four members, two members being connected to one another by a central part and forming a first arch, and two other members being connected to one another by a central part and forming a second arch, and the central part of each arch is articulated in rotation with the support;
- each member is articulated in rotation with the support around a horizontal axis;
- the members extend on either side of a vertical plane and the chair comprises a synchronization mechanism for synchronizing the angular position of the members relative to the support, ensuring a symmetrical rotation of the members relative to the plane.
- the chair is movable between a usage configuration, in which the members are deployed relative to the support, and a folded configuration, in which the members are folded along the support, and the passage from the folded configuration to the deployed configuration, and vice versa, is done by rotating the members relative to the support;
- the chair comprises a blocking mechanism for blocking the angular position of the members relative to the support and locking elements for locking the blocking mechanism, the locking elements being movable between a locked position, in which the blocking mechanism blocks the rotation of the members relative to the support, and an unlocked position, in which the blocking mechanism allows the rotation of the members relative to the support;
- the support comprises two arms that extend from a body of the support, the members being articulated to the body, and the blocking mechanism is housed at least partially in the body;
- the support comprises two arms that extend from a body of the support, the members being articulated to the body;
- the arms are articulated in rotation relative to the body of the support, around a horizontal balancing axis, and the chair comprises a natural balancing system that commands the blocking/unblocking of the articulation of the arms around the balancing axis;
- the body comprises an upper part that supports the arms and is able to rotate by 360°, around a vertical axis, relative to a lower part of the body, which carries the members;
- the first height is comprised between 70 and 80 cm and the second height is comprised between 40 and 50 cm;
- the seat is supported by a framework comprising a seat bottom and a backrest articulated with the support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood, and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly, in light of the following description of a childcare chair according to its principle, provided solely as an example and done in reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a childcare chair according to the invention, in a high position;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of detail III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front and sectional view of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 1, in a low position;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 1 in a folded configuration;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 1 showing a natural balancing function; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 1 showing a function for inclining a seat bottom and backrest of the chair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 8 show a chair 1 for a child, comprising a seat 5 for receiving the child. The seat 5 is manufactured from fabric and/or foam, for the child's comfort. In a known manner, means that are not shown, for example straps equipped with a closing system, make it possible to fasten the child to the seat 5. A reducing cushion 51 ensures maintenance of the child's head.
The seat 5 is relatively flexible, and is mounted on a rigid framework 4 that comprises a seat bottom 41 and a backrest 42 together defining a closed contour with a globally oval-shaped where the dimensions are suitable for supporting the seat 5. A fastening system, for example self-adhesive strips or a zipper, makes it possible to fasten the seat 5 to the framework 4 while allowing the cover to be removed from the seat 5.
The seat bottom 41 and backrest 42 are each globally U-shaped, with two branches connected by a curved central part.
The framework 4 is maintained by a seat support 3, or “lower arch”, that is globally U-shaped, comprising two upper support members 31 and 32, or “arms”, connected to one another by a body 30. The free ends of the branches of the U shape are oriented upward and are fastened to the framework 4, at the connection between the seat bottom 41 and the backrest 42, while the body 30 is situated downward relative to the branches.
The seat bottom 41 and backrest 42 are connected to the support 3 by rotating articulation means 43 of the hinge type positioned at each end of the branches of the U shape.
The body 30 supports at least three members bearing on the ground, for example four feet 21, 22, 23 and 24. The feet 21 and 22 are connected to one another by a curved central part that crosses through the body 30, and together form a first arch 2A that is globally U-shaped. Likewise, the feet 23 and 24 cross through the body 30 and form a second arch 2B.
The free ends of the feet 21 to 24 are each equipped with a pad 20 articulated with the corresponding foot 21 to 24, so as to ensure the stability of the bearing of the chair 1 on the ground.
The chair 1 comprises mechanical connecting means between each foot 21 to 24 and the support 3. These means include two horizontal through openings 301A and 301B arranged in the body 30, each receiving the curved central part of one of the lower arches 2A and 2B. Thus, the mechanical connecting means allow a rotation of the arches 2A and 2B relative to the support 3, centered on a horizontal axis X2A or X2B, respectively, defined by the openings 301 A and 301 B of the support 3.
An articulation mechanism of the arches 2A and 2B with the support 3, shown in FIG. 3, is housed inside the body 30. This mechanism comprises two toothed wheels 33A and 33B with an ovoid shape, which cooperate with the arches 2A and 2B by means of one end of the feet 21 to 24, having an ovoid section, and the complementary ovoid shape of the two toothed wheels 33A and 33B.
The toothed wheels 33A and 33B and systems for blocking them, which are actuated by the simultaneous action on locking buttons 35A and 35B respectively carried by the arms 31 and 32, allow to block the position of the arches 2A and 2B relative to the support 3. For example, the buttons 35A and 35B are each connected to a cable 36A or 36B housed inside the corresponding arm 31 or 32. The cables 36A and 36B are connected to the systems for blocking the toothed wheels 33A and 33B.
The buttons 35A and 35B are movable between a locked position, in which they block the arches 2A and 2B in position relative to the support 3, and an unlocked position, in which they allow the arches 2A and 2B to move relative to the support 3. The buttons 35A and 35B are in the locked position by default, and when they are pulled upward, they enter the unlocked position. Thus, manually actuating the buttons 35A and 35B causes the unblocking of the systems blocking the wheels 33A and 33B, which allows the arches 2A and 2B to rotate relative to the support 3.
The arches 2A and 2B are movable between at least two different positions, for example a first position, or high position, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8, and a second position, or low position, shown in FIG. 5.
In the unlocked position of the buttons 35A and 35B, an operator can move the arches 2A and 2B to cause them to go from the high position to the low position.
Reference a denotes an angle defined between each foot 21 to 24 and a vertical plane P3 passing through the two arms 31 and 32 and the body 30 of the support 3. The plane P3 is parallel to the axis of rotation X2A and X2B of the feet 21 to 24. The feet 21 to 24 extend on either side of the plane P3. The feet 21 and 22 extend from a first side of the plane P3, and the feet 23 and 24 extend from the other side of the plane P3.
Reference H denotes a height of the seat 5, measured vertically between the outside bottom of the seat 5 and the ground S.
In the high position, for an interaction height, the angle α assumes a first value α1, equal to approximately 35°, and the height H assumes a first value H1 approximately equal to 70 cm. Alternatively, in the high position, the first angle α1 is comprised between 30° and 40°, and the first height H1 is comprised between 70 and 80 cm. In the low position, for a relaxation height, the angle α assumes a second value α2 strictly greater than the first value, and approximately equal to 70°. The height H assumes a second value H2 strictly smaller than the first height H1 and approximately equal to 50 cm. Alternatively, in the high position, the second angle α2 is comprised between 65° and 75°, and the second height H2 is comprised between 40 and 50 cm.
Preferably, the difference between the heights H1 and H2 is comprised between 10 and 30 cm.
In the high position, the child is relatively raised with respect to the ground, which allows him to interact with the adults around him. The chair 1 can for example be placed next to a sofa or table. In the low position, the child is close to the ground, for example at the height of a sofa. The low position can in particular be used when the child is sleeping.
The toothed wheels 33A and 33B mesh with one another, such that the angle α between the feet 21 and 22 of the first arch 2A and the plane P3 on the one hand, and the angle α between the feet 23 and 24 of the second arch 2B on the other hand, are always equal to one another. The toothed wheels 33A and 33B thus constitute or belong to a mechanism that synchronizes the angular position of the feet 21 to 24, which ensures symmetrical deployment of the feet 21 to 24 relative to the plane P3.
Furthermore, when the buttons 35A and 35B are unlocked, the arches 2A and 2B are free to go, by gravity, from the high position to the low position, or vice versa. Thus, to take the arches 2A and 2B from the high position to the low position, it suffices to pull on the two sliding buttons 35A and 35B and bring the support 3 closer to the ground, so as to separate the arches 2A and 2B from one another. Likewise, to bring the arches 2A and 2B from the low position to the high position, it suffices to simultaneously pull the buttons 35A and 35B and raise the support 3 to move away from the ground, such that the arches 2A and 2B automatically straighten by gravity, and turn relative to the support 3 to enter the high position.
As shown in FIG. 8 by the double arrows, the seat bottom 41 and the backrest 42 are articulated on the support 3 so as to allow them to be inclined independently relative to the support 3, which makes it possible to adjust the position of the child. For example, by orienting the seat bottom 41 in the extension of the backrest 42, the child adopts an elongated position, whereas when the seat back 42 is inclined relative to the seat bottom 41, the child is kept in the seated position. The framework 4 has several positions. For example, the backrest 42 includes three different positions and the seat bottom 41 has two distinct positions. In order to change the position of the seat bottom 41, the latter is equipped with blocking means 410, in the form of a lever-type button.
Another lever 420 makes it possible to change the position of the backrest 42. The change in position of the seat bottom 41 is done by pulling on the lever 410, and the change of position of the backrest 42 is done by pulling on the lever 420. These levers 410 and 420 provide security, since they must be actuated deliberately to tilt the seat bottom 41 or the backrest 42.
The chair 1 is provided to be folded in a configuration shown in FIG. 6. In the folded configuration, the arches 2A and 2B are brought upward, along the support 3, and the framework 4 is folded downward, along the support 3. Thus, the chair 1 is not very bulky when it is folded. Furthermore, this manipulation is easy.
The framework 4 is provided with two push buttons 38A and 38B, aligned with the articulation axis X4 shared by the seat bottom 41 and the backrest 42. The button 38A is positioned on a first side of the framework 4, on the seat bottom 41, and the button 38B is positioned on the other side of the framework 4, on the backrest 42. In order to allow the seat bottom 41 to be folded, an operator must simultaneously actuate the lever 410 and the button 38A. In order to allow the backrest 42 to be folded, an operator must simultaneously actuate the lever 420 and the button 38B.
Two simultaneous actions are necessary to fold the seat bottom 41 and the backrest 42, i.e., to have pulled on the lever 410, respectively 420, and pressed on the button 38A, respectively 38B, which makes it possible to ensure the child's safety while preventing accidental folding of the framework 4.
Unlike in the folded configuration, FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 show the chair 1 in a deployed configuration, which is a usage configuration of the chair 1, in which the arches 2A and 2B and the framework 4 respectively protrude downward and upward relative to the support 3. The passage from the folded configuration to the deployed configuration, and vice versa, is done by rotating the members 21 to 24 relative to the support 3.
As shown in FIG. 7, the chair 1 comprises a natural balancing system, which allows the oscillation of the seat 5 relative to the feet 21 to 24. Additional locking means, activated using a button 50, allow the operator to block the natural balancing system.
The arms 31 and 32 are articulated in rotation relative to the body 30 of the support 3, around a horizontal tilting axis X30. In the locked position, a system of four ramps mounted on a circular piece blocks the balancing of the arms 31 and 32 relative to the body 30. A manual action on the button 50 drives the rotation of that circular piece, which removes the ramps and causes unblocking of the balancing of the arms 31 and 32 relative to the body 30. The arms 31 and 32 then rest on an elastic damping member, for example springs or a silicone damper, which procures balancing freedom while retaining a certain strength. The means for blocking the position of the feet 21 to 24, the first locking means 35A and 35B and the natural balancing system are integrated to the support 30, which makes it possible to improve the compactness of the chair 1.
Alternatively, the arches 2A and/or 2B are replaced by separate feet. In that case, the feet 21 to 24 are not connected to one another. For example, the feet 21 to 24 may be in the shape of an upside down L, with a vertical part for bearing on the ground, and a horizontal part articulated in rotation with the support 3. In an alternative of the invention, the feet 21 to 24 are rotatable relative to the support 3 between a number of distinct positions different from two, for example three, four or five positions, in which the height H of the seat 5 is different. Thus, the invention proposes predefined heights that make it possible to adapt the chair 1 to different situations.
Optionally, the framework 4 is removable, i.e., it can be detached from the support 3.
The support 3 made potentially be made in two parts articulated in rotation around a vertical axis, so as to allow the 360° rotation of the framework 4 relative to the feet 21 to 24. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper part 30A of the body 30, which carries the arms 31 and 32, is able to rotate around a vertical axis X3 relative to the lower part 30B of the body 30, which carries the arches 2A and 2B, which allows the 360° rotation of the framework 4 and the arms 31 and 32 relative to the arches 2A and 2B.
In the context of the invention, the different alternatives described may be combined with each other, at least in part.

Claims

1. A childcare chair, comprising a seat for receiving a child and a support for the seat, the support carrying members for bearing on the ground, wherein the members are articulated in rotation relative to the support between at least two distinct positions, in each of which the members are deployed relative to the support and which include:

a high position, in which the members bearing on the ground keep the seat at a first height relative to the ground, and

a low position, in which the members bearing on the ground keep the seat at a second height relative to the ground, the second height being strictly smaller than the first height.

2. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the chair comprises four members, two members being connected to one another by a central part and forming a first arch, and two other members being connected to one another by a central part and forming a second arch, and wherein the central part of each arch is articulated in rotation with the support.

3. The chair according to claim 1, wherein each member is articulated in rotation with the support around a horizontal axis.

4. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the members extend on either side of a vertical plane and wherein the chair comprises a synchronization mechanism for synchronizing the angular position of the members relative to the support, ensuring a symmetrical rotation of the members relative to the plane.

5. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the chair is movable between:

a usage configuration, in which the members are deployed relative to the support, and

a folded configuration, in which the members are folded along the support,

and wherein the passage from the folded configuration to the deployed configuration, and vice versa, is done by rotating the members relative to the support.

6. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the chair comprises a blocking mechanism for blocking the angular position of the members relative to the support and locking elements for locking the blocking mechanism, the locking elements being movable between

a locked position, in which the blocking mechanism blocks the rotation of the members relative to the support, and

an unlocked position, in which the blocking mechanism allows the rotation of the members relative to the support.

7. The chair according to claim 6, wherein the support comprises two arms that extend from a body of the support, the members being articulated to the body, and wherein the blocking mechanism is housed at least partially in the body.

8. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises two arms that extend from a body of the support, the members being articulated to the body.

9. The chair according to claim 8, wherein the arms are articulated in rotation relative to the body of the support, around a horizontal balancing axis, and wherein the chair comprises a natural balancing system that commands the blocking/unblocking of the articulation of the arms around the balancing axis.

10. The chair according to claim 8, wherein the body comprises an upper part that supports the arms and is able to rotate by 360°, around a vertical axis, relative to a lower part of the body, which carries the members.

11. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the first height is comprised between 70 and 80 cm and the second height is comprised between 40 and 50 cm.

12. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the seat is supported by a framework comprising a seat bottom and a backrest articulated with the support.

13. The chair according to claim 2, wherein the chair comprises a blocking mechanism for blocking the angular position of the members relative to the support and locking elements for locking the blocking mechanism, the locking elements being movable between

14. The chair according to claim 3, wherein the chair comprises a blocking mechanism for blocking the angular position of the members relative to the support and locking elements for locking the blocking mechanism, the locking elements being movable between

15. The chair according to claim 4, wherein the chair comprises a blocking mechanism for blocking the angular position of the members relative to the support and locking elements for locking the blocking mechanism, the locking elements being movable between

16. The chair according to claim 5, wherein the chair comprises a blocking mechanism for blocking the angular position of the members relative to the support and locking elements for locking the blocking mechanism, the locking elements being movable between

17. The chair according to claim 13, wherein the support comprises two arms that extend from a body of the support, the members being articulated to the body, and wherein the blocking mechanism is housed at least partially in the body.

18. The chair according to claim 14, wherein the support comprises two arms that extend from a body of the support, the members being articulated to the body, and wherein the blocking mechanism is housed at least partially in the body.

19. The chair according to claim 15, wherein the support comprises two arms that extend from a body of the support, the members being articulated to the body, and wherein the blocking mechanism is housed at least partially in the body.

20. The chair according to claim 16, wherein the support comprises two arms that extend from a body of the support, the members being articulated to the body, and wherein the blocking mechanism is housed at least partially in the body.